Dual Degree Opportunities : Naval Architecture

The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NA & ME) within the Rackham School of Graduate Studies offer a dual degree program enabling a small number of qualified students to pursue concurrent work in business administration and naval architecture and marine engineering studies leading to the MBA/MSE degrees.

The program is arranged so that all requirements are completed in three years of enrollment. The degrees are awarded simultaneously.

This combined degree program is not open to students who have earned either the MBA or MSE (NA&ME) degrees. Students already registered in the first year of either program may apply.

Students admitted to this dual degree program must satisfy the following degree requirements:

1) The MBA 57 credit hour degree program including:

  • 45 Business Administration Credits, made up of:

    • Roughly 30 credit hours of MBA core (no credit awarded for Business Administration core courses successfully waived, credit must be earned with Business electives);

    • Roughly 15 elective hours in Business Administration;

    • MBA Communication Requirement.

  • Up to 12 credit hours of transferable electives from the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering;

2) The NA&ME 30 credit hour degree program including:

  • Required Course: MATH for Naval Architects (NA 599, section 028 / 3 credits);

  • One (1) Cognate Course (level 400 and up) – Engineering or another Math course outside NA&ME;

  • A minimum of 18 credit hours of NA&ME courses – At least 15 credits need to be at the 500 level or above;

  • IF NEEDED – remaining credits will be of approved coursework (level 400 and up) – (not all students will need this if they already have earned 30 credits by fulfilling the first three requirements).

Due to the significant overlap between (1) and (2), the total credit hours for the dual degree program could range from 63 to 69, depending upon the graduate specialty area in the NA&ME department and the background of the student. No course work completed prior to admission in either program may be counted toward the MBA requirement of the dual program.

The dual program may begin with studies in either school. However, because of the sequenced nature of core courses in the MBA program, most students will find it advantageous to start with year one in the Business School. During year two, courses are taken in both schools. Students will finish the program in NA&ME. Students who wish to begin in NA&ME should see a counselor in the Business School to arrange an appropriate plan of study.

Applicants interested in the MBA/MSE (NA&ME) program must file separate applications to and be admitted by both schools.  Applicants must indicate on both applications that they are applying for this specific dual degree program. Applicants must submit test scores or a Statement of Academic Readiness for admission to Michigan’s Ross School of Business.  More information can be found here.  The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission into the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NA & ME).